150% price increase in Mayor’s Ball tickets

Elected members and staff of Derry City and Strabane District Council are preparing to round off the second year of its four-year mandate. 

Council’s AGM will take place in the Guildhall on June 2, while the annual Mayor’s Ball is scheduled for the previous Friday, May 30, in  the Everglades Hotel – a break in tradition for the event which is also usually held in the Guildhall.

It has emerged that tickets for this year’s Mayor’s Ball have been priced at £150 per person, which includes a drinks reception, five-course gala dinner with wine and entertainment. The ticket prices for the Mayor’s Balls in 2023 and 2024 were £60 per person; the event did not go ahead in 2022 due to the pandemic. 

Traditionally the proceeds of the Mayor’s Ball go to the incumbent’s chosen charity, which the year is the Bud Club - a full-time, youth-led educational and developmental youth provision in the Council area. 

Asked about the 150% increase in ticket prices compared to last year’s event, a Council spokesperson said: “The ticket price was increased to £150 this year to cover additional costs and to include a donation to the Mayor’s charity.

“The costings for the event are managed by the Mayor’s Office at the request of the Mayor.

“The ticket price is at the Mayor’s discretion and this year it was agreed that the ticket would include a donation to the charity. In previous years the ticket was for food and entertainment only with guests asked to donate to the charity during the event. 

“The Mayor’s Ball is an invitation only event and tickets are priced to reflect the costs of the event with the remainder going towards the Mayor’s Charity. The Mayor’s Ball is a specific celebratory event aimed at raising money and awareness of her charity,” said the spokesperson.

They highlighted: “The Mayor throughout her year has hosted numerous free events including her youth inclusion events, an inclusive birthday party and tea dances, where she invites everyone to attend.

"The Mayor is also hosting a number of charity events on May 24 and 25 as part of her One Big Weekend One Big Cause - Revved up and Ready to Rock, which is open to everyone to attend and support. Tickets are priced at £20.”